Wikipedia

Thomas DiNapoli

Thomas Peter DiNapoli (born February 10, 1954)[1][2] is an American politician serving as the 54th and current New York State Comptroller since 2007.[3] A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed by a bipartisan majority of the New York State Legislature to the position of comptroller on February 7, 2007.[4][3] He was then elected Comptroller by New York's voters in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.[3] In his 2014 victory, he led the statewide ticket with the most votes.[5] He was easily reelected to a third term in November 2018, receiving 64.9% of the vote.[6] In 2022, he secured his fourth term in office, receiving 57% of the vote.[7] He is the second longest-serving comptroller in New York State History.[8]

Tom DiNapoli
54th Comptroller of New York
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 7, 2007
GovernorEliot Spitzer
David Paterson
Andrew Cuomo
Kathy Hochul
Preceded byThomas Sanzillo (Acting)
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 16th district
In office
January 1, 1987 – February 7, 2007
Preceded byMay W. Newburger
Succeeded byMichelle Schimel
Personal details
Born
Thomas Peter DiNapoli

(1954-02-10) February 10, 1954 (age 70)
Rockville Centre, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceThomaston, New York
EducationHofstra University (BA)
The New School (MA)
WebsiteGovernment website

DiNapoli previously served as a New York State Assemblyman for the 16th district in northwestern Nassau County, first elected in 1986. He served 20 years in the Assembly.[3] During his tenure, he chaired the Environmental Conservation Committee, the Local Governments Committee, and the Governmental Operations Committee.[9]

He is a resident of the village of Great Neck Plaza, New York.[10]

Early life and education

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DiNapoli was born to Nicholas Peter DiNapoli and Adeline (Abbondandelo) DiNapoli,[11] named after his paternal grandfather Thomas Peter DiNapoli.[12] DiNapoli, raised in Albertson, has been active in politics since he was a teenager, when he ran for and won a position as a trustee on the Mineola Board of Education.[1] At the age of 18 in 1972, he was the youngest person in New York State history elected to public office.[13] He served on the school board for 10 years.

In 1976, DiNapoli graduated magna cum laude from Hofstra University with a bachelor's degree in history.[13] After college he worked for New York Telephone[1] and AT&T. In 1988, he received a master's degree in human resources management from The New School University's Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions.[13]

New York Assembly and politics

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DiNapoli worked as an aide for Assemblyman Angelo F. Orazio. He also served as a district representative for Congressman Robert J. Mrazek. DiNapoli was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1987 to 2007, sitting in the 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd, 194th, 195th, 196th and 197th New York state legislatures. He represented the 16th district, located in Northwest Nassau County. DiNapoli was later also elected as Chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. In 2001, he lost the Democratic nomination for Nassau County Executive to Tom Suozzi, who later won the election. In 2006, DiNapoli was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but dropped out of the race after Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the party's frontrunner for governor, chose Senate Minority Leader David Paterson as his running mate.

State Comptroller

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Appointment

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January 11, 2011 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Inauguration

Alan Hevesi resigned in December 2006.[14][15] On February 7, 2007, in a joint session of the New York State Legislature, DiNapoli was elected as New York State Comptroller in a vote of 150–56.[16][15]

Service as Comptroller

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In lieu of a transition committee, DiNapoli established a commission to review the Comptroller's office. The commission was headed by former Mayor of New York Ed Koch and financial expert Frank Zarb. Also included in this commission were Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Chancellor of Syracuse University Nancy Cantor, and New York City Comptroller William Thompson. In March 2007, as one of DiNapoli's first public statements as Comptroller, he warned Governor Eliot Spitzer that his proposed budget had levels of spending were at an "unsustainable rate". DiNapoli stated that, at the rate proposed by Spitzer's budget, there would be a $13 billion deficit in three years' time.[17]

As Comptroller, DiNapoli makes periodic, public reports on a variety of issues affecting state, local, and charitable agencies. In March 2010, he reported that non-profits had been hurt by the recession as well as by delays in state contracts.[18] The following month, he gained a reputation as a critic of the State's budget deficit.[19][20][21] He "has proposed major reforms in the state budget process".[22] He unveiled a package of proposed reforms to the budget process in March 2010. Key parts of his plans are for "governors to identify plans to erase budget deficits in future years", to cap state debt, and to require excess surplusses to be deposited into the "rainy day fund".[19]

2010 election

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See also: 2010 New York State Comptroller election

DiNapoli ran for election in November 2010.[23] On May 1, 2010, he won the Democratic Rural Conference's Straw Poll by acclamation.[24] On May 26, 2010, DiNapoli received the designation of the New York Democratic Party. "I'm grateful for your support and I salute your commitment to moving our great state forward. It's a commitment I share with each of you," said DiNapoli on the occasion.[25] He received the nomination of the Working Families Party for comptroller.[citation needed]

In November 2010, he narrowly won reelection.[26] DiNapoli claimed victory early the morning of November 3,[26] and Harry Wilson conceded later in the morning.[27]

2014 election

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See also: 2014 New York State Comptroller election

DiNapoli ran for reelection in November 2014. On May 21, 2014, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party.[28] "This office has an important compelling and independent role to play in moving our state forward. As New York State Comptroller, I'll continue to go to work every day striving to do right by New Yorkers," said DiNapoli at the Democratic Convention. He also received the nomination of the Independence, Working Families and Women's Equality parties for State Comptroller.

In November 2014, he won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Bob Antonacci. DiNapoli received the most votes of any statewide candidate with 2,077,293 votes.[29]

2018 election

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See also: 2018 New York State Comptroller election

DiNapoli ran for reelection for a third full term. On May 23, 2018, he received the nomination of the New York Democratic Party.[28] "This office has a lot more work to do for a safer, fairer New York. As New York State Comptroller, I'll continue to go to work every day striving to do right by New Yorkers," said DiNapoli at the Democratic Convention. He also received the nomination of the Independence, Working Families and Women's Equality and Reform parties for State Comptroller.

In November 2018, he won reelection, defeating Republican candidate Jonathan Trichter, a former Democrat who switched to the GOP. DiNapoli once again received the most votes of any statewide candidate with 4,027,886 votes.[29]

2022 election

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See also: 2022 New York State Comptroller election

DiNapoli won reelection to a fourth term. He ran unopposed in the primary.[30]

Personal life

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DiNapoli is single and has no children.[1] He lives in Great Neck Plaza, New York.[10]

Both of his parents are the children of immigrants. His father, Nick, served in World War II, and after the war worked as a cable splicer for New York Telephone. For a time he was a shop steward for his union, the Communications Workers of America. DiNapoli's mother, Adeline, was a records clerk for the county police department.[31] On September 1, 2013, he received the honorary citizenship in the small town of Paduli, in the province of Benevento - Italy, the birthplace of his paternal grandfather. He has been awarded an honorary degree from Hofstra University[32] and Ulster University.[33]

Electoral history

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New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 1998
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 26,806 67.30
Republican* Thomas Zampino 13,027 32.70

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party and Liberal Party lines; Zampino also appeared on the Conservative Party line.

New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2000
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 35,621 70.29
Republican* Jerome Galluscio 15,053 29.71

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines; Galluscio also appeared on the Conservative Party and Right to Life Party lines.

New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 25,301 67.62
Republican Javier Vargas 10,527 28.13
Conservative Frank Russo Jr. 1,590 4.25

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines.

New York State Assembly 16th District Election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 40,179 69.31
Republican* Michael McGillicuddy 17,791 30.69

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Independence Party, Liberal Party, and Working Families Party lines; McGillicuddy also appeared on the Conservative Party line.

New York Comptroller Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli 2,271,666 50.78
Republican* Harry Wilson 2,069,427 46.26
Green Julia Willebrand 104,445 2.33
Libertarian John Gaetani 27,882 0.62

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party line; Wilson also appeared on the Independence Party and Conservative Party lines.

New York Comptroller Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 2,233,057 60.15
Republican* Robert Antonacci 1,354,643 36.49
Green Theresa Portelli 97,906 2.64
Libertarian John Clifton 26,583 0.72

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party, Independence Party, and Women's Equality Party lines; Antonacci also appeared on the Conservative Party and Stop Common Core Party lines.

New York Comptroller Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 4,027,886 66.96
Republican* Jonathan Trichter 1,882,958 31.30
Green Mark Dunlea 70,041 1.16
Libertarian Cruger E. Gallaudet 34,430 0.57

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party, Independence Party, Women's Equality Party, and Reform Party lines; Trichter also appeared on the Conservative Party line.

New York Comptroller Election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic* Thomas DiNapoli (inc.) 3,305,112 57.29
Republican* Paul Rodriguez 2,463,404 42.71

*DiNapoli also appeared on the Working Families Party line; Rodriguez also appeared on the Conservative Party line.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Danny Hakim, "Man in the News: Thomas P. DiNapoli, a Nice Guy Who Wound Up Finishing First," New York Times, February 8, 2007. Found at New York Times website Archived June 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed March 29, 2010.
  2. ^ "Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (NY)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli". Office of the New York State Comptroller. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  4. ^ Khurshid, Samar. "In Office Since 2007, DiNapoli Looks to Hold Off Rodriguez for Another Term as State Comptroller". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  5. ^ Barkan, Ross (5 November 2014). "Thomas DiNapoli Handily Wins Re-Election". New York Observer. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  6. ^ Herbert, Geoff (7 November 2018). "2018 elections: Thomas DiNapoli easily wins 3rd term as NYS Comptroller". syracuse.com. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  7. ^ "New York Comptroller Election Results". The New York Times. 2022-11-08. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  8. ^ "Tom DiNapoli is asking voters for four more years as state comptroller". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  9. ^ SuffolkDems (2012-12-10). "Tom DiNapoli". Suffolk County Democratic Committee. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  10. ^ a b "NY Comptroller Tom DiNapoli Beats GOP Rival | Long Island Press | www.longislandpress.com". 5 November 2014.
  11. ^ Gormley, Michael (May 23, 2016). "Nicholas DiNapoli dies; father of state comptroller was 92". Newsday. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  12. ^ 1930 United States Federal Census - Town of North Hempstead, Roslyn Heights village Enumeration District 30-175 Sheet 5B Lines 82-85
  13. ^ a b c "Biography: Thomas P. DiNapoli". New York State Office of the State Comptroller. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  14. ^ Cooper, Michael (2006-12-22). "Hevesi Resigns, Pleading Guilty to Fraud Count". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  15. ^ a b Mahoney, Bill. "DiNapoli marks 10 years since taking over as comptroller". POLITICO. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  16. ^ "Biography of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli". Office of the New York State Comptroller. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  17. ^ "Times Union story". Archived from the original on March 26, 2007.
  18. ^ Richard A. D'Errico, "DiNapoli recommends changes to expedite nonprofit contracts," The Business Review (Albany), March 30, 2010; Modified: Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Found at Business Journals website, accessed April 5, 2010.
  19. ^ a b "DiNapoli wants to alter budget process", Business First of Buffalo and The Albany Business Review, March 9, 2010. Found at Business Journals website, accessed April 5, 2010.
  20. ^ Elizabeth Benjamin, "DiNapoli Talks Tough," Daily News, April 5, 2010, found at Daily News website Archived October 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 5, 2010.
  21. ^ Michael Quint, "New York Budget 'Shell Game' Hides Deficits and Cash Squeeze," Bloomberg News, 5, 2010, found at Bloomberg News website Archived December 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 5, 2010.
  22. ^ "Comptroller DiNapoli proposes major reforms to budget process," WTEN-TV News Channel 10, March 9, 2010. Found at WTEN-TV website Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, accessed April 5, 2010.
  23. ^ Erie County Board of Elections website page on 2010 Offices to be Elected Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed March 29, 2010.
  24. ^ "DiNAPOLI WINS DRC STRAW POLL" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2010-06-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Accessed June 22, 2010.
  25. ^ "State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Prepared Remarks for the 2010 NYS Democratic Convention" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2010-06-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link). Accessed June 22, 2010.
  26. ^ a b Dolnick, Sam (3 November 2010). "Thomas DiNapoli Re-Elected Comptroller in a Tight Race". New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  27. ^ "DiNapoli Wins with Late Comptroller Returns". Long Island Press. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  28. ^ a b "Gov. Cuomo, State Comptroller DiNapoli Win Nomination for Re-Election". 21 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2015-05-28.
  29. ^ a b "New York Election Results". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2016-10-09. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
  30. ^ Solomon, Joshua (2022-02-17). "Hochul accepts Democratic Party nomination for governor". Times Union. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  31. ^ "State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Prepared Remarks for the 2010 NYS Democratic Convention" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2010-06-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link).
  32. ^ Dinnocenzo, Michael (2019-01-14). "Out of Left Field: Dr. Tom DiNapoli: man for the people - Blog". The Island Now. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  33. ^ "New York businessman honoured by the Ulster University". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-01-11.

Further reading

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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for New York State Comptroller
2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 		Most recent
New York State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New York Assembly
from the 16th district
1987–2007 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Comptroller of New York
2007–present 		Incumbent
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